What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill cuts all existing student loan debts, including HELP, VET and apprenticeship loans, by 20 per cent based on balances at 1 June 2025, wiping about $16 billion. It also lifts the income at which repayments start from about $54,000 to $67,000 and changes repayments so they are only charged on income above that level. The Coalition did not oppose it, and much of the debate was about who benefits, the cost to taxpayers and wider reforms such as indexation timing and Job-ready Graduates fees.
Arguments made in support
The government said it delivers an election promise and cuts the average debt of about $27,600 by around $5,500 for three million people.
Government members said the new repayment system is fairer and gives someone earning $70,000 about $1,300 a year more in take-home pay.
Supporters said student debt weighs on young people trying to rent, buy a home or start a family, and the cut also covers TAFE and apprentices.
Crossbench MPs and senators supported the bill as welcome relief while calling for further reforms.
Arguments made against, or for changes
Coalition speakers said it is poorly targeted, gives the most to people with big debts, and is paid for by taxpayers who never went to university.
Coalition and One Nation speakers said it does nothing for past or future students, and low earners may take longer to repay.
Crossbench members and the Greens said Job-ready Graduates fees should be reversed and indexation should apply after repayments are counted.
The Greens moved to wipe all student debt and end indexation, and Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson moved to cap indexation at 3 per cent; the government opposed these.
One Nation opposed the bill, calling it a vote-buying measure.
122 speeches by 57 members in the House and Senate over 7 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 23 July 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 28 July 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 29 July 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 29 July 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 30 July 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 30 July 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 31 July 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Australia's Voice
0 Yes
0 No
1–
The last column counts members who did not vote. Party counts are for current members.
4 votes were cast by people who have since left Parliament.